Mental health issues affect the vast majority of people in incarcerated settings. From distorted thinking to psychosis to the effects of adverse childhood experiences, mental health challenges are prevalent in prison. Having just earned my certificate in trauma-informed intervention, I was reminded of this fact as I watched a peaceful basketball game in the Facility Gym. My cheers for Team MAC were interrupted by a peer in distress. Frank (*) stood over me, his size imposing but otherwise familiar, and his face panic -stricken.
“Dortell, I got all these thoughts and everything is rushed inside.” He motioned with his arms in a circular pattern toward his torso. I instantly suspected that Frank was experiencing an anxiety attack.
I invited him to a corner in the gym for a bit of privacy. “Do you feel frightened?”
“I feel like I don’t know what’s going to happen.”
“Do you feel like someone is going to hurt you or that you might hurt someone?”
“No, I just feel like doom; does that make sense?”
“Yes, I understand. You’re gonna be okay. Look around the room. Confirm that you are safe. Do you see that you are safe?”
“Yeah, but it doesn’t feel like it”
“That’s okay. Feelings can be deceptive. What’s happening is that your internal alarm system has been triggered.” (I point to the back of my head.) “You can turn it off, you know.”
Frank looks puzzled.
“Yeah, your alarm system doesn’t know the difference between the past and the present. It was triggered and is warning you to be alert. But you looked around and everything is peaceful, right?”
“Yeah.”
“So now you have to assert your cognitive brain, the part of your brain where logic, time and safety are registered.” (I pointed to my forehead.) “This is your prefrontal cortex. Use this part of your brain to counter your amygdala.”
Still looking puzzled, he waited.
“Tell yourself you’re safe, repeat: ‘I am safe'”
Frank followed my lead.
“Now tell your lower brain you are safe and breathe in deeply. (I demonstrated intentional deep breathing.)
Frank followed.
“Now breathe out, slowly.”
Frank followed suit.
We continued this exercise for less than a minute. I could see Frank’s color returning to his face; his hefty arms hung relaxed.
“How do you feel?”
“I feel better.”
Looking more relaxed, Frank thanked me and we finished the game together.
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* Frank is a fictional name.
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